Posts Tagged ‘Funeral Planning’

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Funerals and the Baby Boomer Generation

Saturday, March 10th, 2012

Funerals and the Baby Boomer GenerationIt comes as no surprise for most people to discover that funeral planning traditions stem from the lives and viewpoints of older generations. The reason so many of the services offered through a funeral home are geared toward those with conservative views is that the largest percentage of their clientele is part of an aging population.

As Baby Boomers move to the forefront in terms of funeral pre-plans, and start organizing memorial services for their parents, themselves, and loved ones, there will be a shift away from many of the tried-and-true methods of the past.

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What is Natural Burial?

Thursday, March 8th, 2012

What is Natural Burial?In an age when green funerals and funeral planning on a budget are on everyone’s lips, people are beginning to question the need for so many different containers and preparations for the disposal of a body. We researched into why natural burial, a solution in which very few preparations are made and the body is laid to rest directly within the soil of the earth, is one of the most common answers.

How Burial Works

Traditionally, the body of a loved one is embalmed before being placed in a casket, which is then lowered into a grave that contains a grave liner or vault. These various “layers” between the body of the deceased and the ground cannot stop the natural process of decomposition, but they do slow it down and also provide some comfort to families who wish to preserve their memories of the deceased.

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What to Do if There isn’t a Funeral Home in Your Area

Monday, March 5th, 2012

What to Do if There isn’t a Funeral Home in Your AreaWhen most people talk about funeral planning, they assume that you (or your loved ones) live in a city where funeral services are readily available. All metropolitan centers and mid-sized cities have several funeral homes to choose from, usually in a variety of religious denominations. However, as towns get smaller and more rural, there is a chance that your town won’t have a funeral home, a cemetery, a crematorium, or any other type of facility that can help you with the funeral planning process.

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What is Bio Cremation?

Friday, March 2nd, 2012

What is Bio Cremation?When funeral planning, today’s consumers are faced with a variety of choices. Eco-friendly or traditional burial? Cremation or interment? Pre-plan package or funeral insurance? All these choices mean that there can be a large research component when it comes to making decisions—especially if you’re looking for something that is unique, cost-effective, or better for the planet.

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Placing Mementos into a Loved One’s Casket

Friday, February 24th, 2012

Placing Mementos into a Loved One’s CasketToday’s funeral caskets have the option to come equipped with specialty drawers that allow you to incorporate a uniquely personal touch. Located on the lid or side panels, these memorial drawers are similar to ones you might find in a jewelry chest—small, elegant, and perfect for holding mementos that signify a lifetime of happiness.

The practice of placing memorial keepsakes with a body being prepared for burial is nothing new. In fact, it’s one of the oldest funeral traditions, as evident by the great tombs of Egypt and the remains of early humans found buried with their weapons, ceremonial jewelry, and cooking items. Although many civilizations did this because they believed the items would accompany the deceased through the underworld (or because they needed to be able to “pay” for the journey), others did it simply because it helps the healing process. There is something truly moving about knowing those we love will be near the things that mattered to them for all of eternity.

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What to Do if You Can’t Afford a Funeral

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

What to Do if You Can’t Afford a FuneralFor all the benefits of advance funeral planning, burial insurance, and the affordability of options like direct cremation, death is still a very costly affair. In fact, for some families, it’s too costly—and that’s when funeral planning can become a real problem. Although it isn’t something people like to think about (either in relation to their own life or in others), there are occasions in which it simply isn’t possible to pay for a funeral.

While this situation isn’t ideal, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have options. Government and church organizations exist to provide support, and you may be able to find a financing option that suits your lifestyle. If you are getting ready to plan a funeral and don’t have the available funds to cover it all, here are a few of the choices you face:

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Burial Alternatives: Mausoleums

Monday, February 20th, 2012

Burial Alternatives: MausoleumsMausoleums are an alternative to earth burial that places the body to rest in an above-ground crypt. Most often associated with New Orleans, where the moist ground makes it impossible to bury human remains underground for any length of time, mausoleums are usually small house-like structures that are organized in a cemetery alongside other interment options. While beautiful and stately, mausoleums do have a tendency to be more expensive, and may even come with stipulations like sharing the space with other families.

All About Mausoleums

Mausoleums are one of the oldest types of formal burial in the world—in fact, the ancient pyramids of Egypt and the Taj Mahal in India are both examples of some of the more elaborate mausoleums in human history. The term is used to describe any outbuilding in which caskets are entombed, whether it is just one casket or several crypts in which various bodies can be laid to rest.

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Funeral Procession Etiquette

Friday, February 17th, 2012

Funeral Procession EtiquetteOne of the most time-honored funeral traditions is the procession. Once a time when carriages, people, and sometimes even hired mourners made a slow journey from the home of the deceased to the cemetery, funeral processions have long been a way to exhibit honor and grief at the passing of a loved one.

While few people make the trip on foot these days, the funeral procession is still a large part of many memorial services. In it, the line of mourners (usually with each family in their own vehicle) makes its way to the cemetery, following behind the hearse, limo, or even a police escort.

Because so many funeral homes are located some distance from the cemetery, it’s not uncommon for a procession to travel for a few miles. In these instances, it’s important to follow a few key funeral procession etiquette guidelines.

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The Three Most Common Times to Start Planning a Funeral

Monday, February 13th, 2012

The Three Most Common Times to Start Planning a FuneralMost people assume that funeral planning is something that happens once death occurs—which is part of the reason it gets such a bad reputation. There are few things worse than being forced to choose a casket, select a burial plot, and talk about ways to pay for a funeral while you’re still reeling from a sudden loss.

While the most common reason people plan a funeral is because a loved one has passed away, it’s not the only time for this task to get done. Here are the three top times for funeral planning and what each situation entails.

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Express Your Love with a Custom Cremation Urn

Friday, February 10th, 2012

Express Your Love with a Custom Cremation UrnBy Melody Jamali, CEO of Une Belle Vie Memorial Urns

Oftentimes, when a loved one passes away and they are cremated, you may feel pressured to make a selection quickly so that the cremation urn will be delivered as soon as possible. Sometimes this results in urn selections that are not the right fit for the deceased. The fact of the matter is you do not have a deadline to select or create your loved one’s urn. Take all the time you need to make a selection that feels right. In fact, for a way to perfectly honor your family member’s life, why not commission a custom cremation urn? They may take longer to receive, but in the end, you’ll have a lasting memorial created just for your loved one.

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